The sooty shrikethrush is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae. It is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Central Range of New Guinea in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. It favors dense, moss-laden mid- to upper-elevation forest with abundant vine tangles, fallen logs, and thick understory. Often found along steep slopes, gullies, and ridge crests where leaf litter and bark provide foraging substrates. It can persist in degraded montane forest and edges, but is most typical of intact primary forest.
Altitude Range
900–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The sooty shrikethrush is a secretive forest songbird of the New Guinea Highlands, known for its rich, whistled phrases that carry through mossy montane woods. Despite its plain, dark plumage, it is readily detected by voice and steady, methodical foraging in understory tangles. It was formerly lumped with other shrikethrush taxa but is now treated as a distinct species restricted to high elevations.
Temperament
skulking and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through understory
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining territories in dense montane forest. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low to mid-level in vegetation; both parents participate in care. Often forages quietly and may join mixed-species flocks only occasionally.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers clear, mellow whistles and short, descending phrases that carry well in forest. Also gives sharp scolds and harsh chips when alarmed.
